Chris Skovron
Chris Skovron’s academic journey began at The Ohio State University, where he majored in Political Science and developed a passion for understanding political behavior. Today, Chris is a Research Scientist at Meta and an External Faculty Affiliate at the Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, where he works on public opinion, representation, and advanced data science.
As an undergraduate, Chris immersed himself in both research and real-world politics. He interned on campaigns starting his freshman year and eventually became a professional campaign consultant. These experiences not only gave him practical insights into political strategy but also inspired research questions that continue to shape his work.
Chris emphasizes the importance of faculty mentorship:
“The best advice I got as an undergrad was to develop relationships with faculty. Larry Baum, Herb Asher, Paul Beck, and others were incredibly generous with their time and advice. Those relationships made me a better scholar and a better person.”
He also credits research opportunities for preparing him for graduate school:
“Taking on a thesis project and presenting multiple times at the Denman were great ways to learn research methods. Working as a research assistant for Craig Volden taught me skills I still use today.”
After Ohio State, Chris earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan, specializing in American politics and political behavior. His research focuses on participation, campaign communication effects, public opinion at the state and local level, and survey methodology. At Meta, Chris applies these insights to large-scale data analysis, while his affiliation with Northwestern allows him to continue contributing to academic research.
Chris encourages students to combine academic learning with practical experience:
“Get involved in research and in the community. Campaign work gave me ideas that shaped my research. Having a line of work in politics or government outside of school can really pay off.”